John_S
Registered: 11/17/07
Posts: 72
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| | 11/20/07 at 05:52 PM | Reply with quote | #1 |
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Ahmik,
In some of my classes, we are discussing the benefits and risks of supplements. Here are some of my thoughts and I wanted to know your opinion as a doctor and a crossfitter.
The way I see it, when looking at dietary supplements, you have food and you have drugs. Supplements that fall under food would be protein, fish oils, vitamins and minerals. Drugs would be chemicals that are going to affect brain chemistry, hormone levels, or other such things. Examples would be appetite suppressants, medicinal herbs, caffeine (though it is found naturally in food)
I think in general, I would use food supplements almost freely although I would choose actual food sources over the supplements in general. Drug supplements, I would be very careful with. I think there is a time for medication, but I'd be nervous about self medicating based on the propaganda and advertising by the companies who produce these products.
Your thoughts?
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"Our greatest glory is not found in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."- Confucius |
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Wengeleski
Registered: 11/20/07
Posts: 217
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| | 11/20/07 at 08:16 PM | Reply with quote | #2 |
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I agree with you, John. Pete and I are not so much into the drug (chemically made up) supplements but rather thru foods. We do add flax seeds to our smoothies & take a teaspoon of fish oil as a means to help our joints. More so for me..you see my sister in law is a homeopathic doctor and highly suggested it to help me since I've sustained many injuries/operations over the last few years. BIG DIFFERENCE! We do take a daily vitamin, however are very careful to what or how it is made. We do much of our ordering for vitamins, shampoos, soaps, etc....off vitacost.com. They specialize in homeopathic vitamins & natural supplements. Even our dog takes a daily vitamin & it too is all natural and organic. I am sure Dr. Ahmik has other views but I thought I'd give you some input from other fellow CF'rs who are big into organic & naturalpathic.
Cheers,
Donalda
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Ahmik
Moderator
Registered: 11/16/07
Posts: 45
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| | 11/24/07 at 09:02 PM | Reply with quote | #3 |
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John,
I would agree with you in your definition of food supplements and drugs.
The only supplement that has been shown to be beneficial in clinical trials is fish oil. The Journal of the American Medical Association had an article recently that showed a positive effect on cardiovascular health by taking about 3 grams per day. Any more than that did not make things any better but were not detrimental.
On the other hand even multivitamins have not been shown to be beneficial unless there is a serious deficit in your dietary intake. Most americans do not have this problem. However, they do not seem to be harmful if taken as recommended.
Donalda,
Flax seeds and flax oil are helpful to vegetarians who do can not take fish oil for omega 3 fatty acids and will keep them from getting seriously ill. However, if you eat meat at all or take fish oil the excess ALA in flax is actually detrimental to your health. Fish oil provides all the EPA and DHA you need without providing extra ALA.
The theory behind the omega 3 fatty acids protecting your joints is that they seem to lead to lower levels of inflammatory hormones in your body which is helpful for everything. This has been suggested as one of the mechanisms leading to their positive effect on cardiovascular health. If you are not a vegetarian, take the fish oil and leave out the flax seeds.
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Brodowski
Registered: 05/04/09
Posts: 19
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Andrew
Registered: 11/20/07
Posts: 270
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| | 05/21/09 at 11:20 PM | Reply with quote | #5 |
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Just did a little research on this and it looks like the supposed myostatin blockers that are commercially available are total shams, they don't block myostatin and do absolutely nothing but potentially could have health risks.
Apparently an actual pharmaceutical company is working on developing a real myostatin blocker safe for humans but it's still in clinical trials and even if it works (or I should say especially if it works) I guerantee it would be a banned substance.
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Brodowski
Registered: 05/04/09
Posts: 19
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| | 05/21/09 at 11:26 PM | Reply with quote | #6 |
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All the more reason to jump on it quick! I saw some pics of lab mice and the results were impressive as was the story on that 7 yr old. If it is banned, well I guess I'll just hope my kid has it so he'll be bred for the games lol |
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